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462
TEXAS STATE LIBRARY
No. 1978. JOSEPH R. :MASON TO LAMAR
Bangor, County of Penobscot, l\Iaine [March 13] 1841- I take the liberty to address you on a subject of the greatest impor- tance to my parents- Knowing you to have been a native of the United States and friendly to its inhabitants, I have flattered myself that you will pay some atten- tion to the business, which although it may be of no importance to you, will be of great importance to me and still greater to my parents who are worn clown with age who wish eagerly to behold their son. My Father who is near 80 years of age, again wishes to see him before he dies- In the fall of 1839, my brother, Samuel W. Mason, the subject of this letter, left this City in the Brig "Porto Rico" bound to Galveston where he arrived in due time. Being out of employ he left for Texas with Wm H Foster, who by unexpected misfortunes was obliged to re- turn home My brother was then thrown out of employ and with scanty funds. We recd one letter from him whilst at Galveston-he then proceeded to Houston ·where he again wrote, nnd still unable to obtain business. '\Ve did not hear from him again till "June 23d 18-l0-his letter was dated at "Mission of Conception. near Snn Antonio" cle Bexar."- I will quote his own words- "Whilst at Austin, being out of employ, I joined a volunteer Company to protect a party of Sur- veyors from the San Saba to a point of the Colerado. Our Company together with the Surveyors amounted to near 70 men. On my return to Austin were ordered to this place, (Mission of Conception) where we have been since to guard the neighboring ranchos. The Comanches have killed one man and wounded another. I am with a party con- sisting of a Sargeants guard of 14 men. The 2d morn the Indians stole all our horses & we shot a horse from under one of them "The time of our service Expired on the 8th of the present month (June) but the Goverment were solicitous that we should remain 60 dys longer & we consented. I saw Jno Hayden at Austin, who is a Surveyor" )J y brother is small and slim built, and very good looking- When be left home he promised to write often, but he has neglected it but I think that he would not have done so if he had been in a situation to remedy it. He did not take much money with him-perhaps not $20.00 more than enough to pay his passage &c but he had with him a good watch which he gave $140.00 for also a trunk worth $30.00 In your situation I think you might attend to my inquiries respecting him- he having been in the Employ of Goverment, and probably may be now His mother mourns for him night & day-and that too without Con- solation ! Do, then sir, if it be in your power, inform us of him and whatever expense may be incurred, will be cheerfully discharged by his parents. . Imagine yourself to be.the father of a number of c~ilclren-all near you but one who is in a_ dista1~t country- far fr~m friends to comfort & sooth him. You obtam no mformat10:° from him for )'.ea~s. By the divine interposition of a friend you agam learn that he is m the land
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